La Chienne

Maurice, a meek cashier, attends his company's celebration and stays quiet amid the bustle. As he leaves, he witnesses Dédé striking Lulu, who defends herself with a sharp comeback. He steps in, accompanies them for a taxi, and ends up walking Lulu home, where Lulu reveals that Dédé is her pimp.

Back at home, Maurice is questioned by Adèle about his lateness. She degrades his paintings, insisting they clutter the apartment. The exchange foreshadows the strain that will poison their marriage.

One month later, Maurice rents an apartment for Lulu and begins taking her as his mistress. He decorates the space with his own paintings, hoping to create a personal refuge from Adèle's contempt. Adèle resents the situation and plans to throw away the paintings.

One night, Lulu's lights are on at her apartment as Dédé arrives. He grabs Maurice's paintings and schemes to sell them, claiming they were painted by Lulu under the alias Clara Wood. The plan marks a turning point as the artworks start circulating beyond Maurice's control.

Weeks later, Maurice is directed by his employer to an art store, and he discovers his own paintings on display. He is astonished to see the works being sold and receiving critical attention. The display marks a shocking turn for Maurice, who had thought his art would remain hidden.

Lulu deceives Maurice into believing she and her fictitious brother sold the paintings to Wallstein. The paintings become a critical and commercial sensation, and Lulu and Dédé rise financially. Maurice watches his work gain fame through someone else's actions.

At a café, Alexis reveals he survived the war after switching IDs to escape Adèle. He explains he was captured by the Germans and asks Maurice for one thousand francs. Maurice knows Adèle has hidden the money in her wardrobe.

Maurice arranges for Alexis to steal the money, pretending they will attend theatre tomorrow night. The theft succeeds and Adèle panics enough to call the police, but Maurice informs them that Alexis is alive. The plan exposes the fragility of Maurice's schemes and loyalties.

Maurice goes to Lulu's apartment the next morning and finds Lulu and Dédé together in bed. He leaves in shock, then returns to confront Lulu about her infidelity and her manipulation. She confesses she loves Dédé and belittles Maurice, saying the only reason she stayed was his money.

In a confrontation, Maurice stabs Lulu with a knife and leaves the apartment without witnesses. The act marks a violent turning point in the story and results in Lulu's death. The immediate aftermath is left to the investigation.

Lulu's murder is discovered and Dédé is charged with the crime; he is later executed. Maurice is questioned by authorities but released due to a lack of criminal history. The investigation highlights the precarious lines between crime, fame, and social judgment.

Maurice is accused of mishandling 2500 francs by his employer and is fired under the guise of health problems. He becomes a wanderer, a vagrant, drifting through the streets. His artistic ambitions fade as he loses his livelihood.

Maurice reencounters Alexis on the street, who informs him that Adèle has died. The news deepens Maurice's sense of loss and detachment from a life he once sought to control. He continues to drift, marked by the choices that defined his relationships.

An ending image shows a car passing with Maurice's self-portrait, as he and Alexis pick 20 francs off the street and walk away together. The scene underscores Maurice's drift into obscurity while clinging to a fragile companionship. The film closes on a quiet note of resilience amid loss.